Mediation Services

Quick Mediation Links

If you’re in a hurry and want to get straight to the specific information about mediating with Cristi Trusler, we’ve created some shortcut links that will take you right to the information you need.

• Mediation Calendar and Online Scheduling
• Mediation Rates and Costs
• Facilities and Conference Rooms
• Directions to Our Office

Mediation Basics

Texans are quickly learning that their dependence on drawn-out, expensive and emotional courtroom trials may not be the best way to resolve important family disputes. There is a growing movement toward using alternatives to legal action to resolve divorce cases. One of the most popular options is mediation, which involves both spouses, often their attorneys, and a neutral person trained to help them come to an agreement that is mutually acceptable.

Mediation is technically a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). During mediation, a neutral, third party mediator helps the two parties in dispute reach an agreement. This doesn’t mean that mediators can force the parties into a settlement. Rather, mediators keep everyone focused and facilitate the exchange of information.

During mediation, each party will gather information, examine their options and make their own decisions.

Mediation is non-binding and confidential, so you can feel comfortable that what is discussed during mediation will remain private.

The key advantage to mediating is that it may lower the overall cost of completing your case. It may also save you time, since it can often take a long time to move a divorce through the court system.

How Does Mediation Work in Austin?

Mediation in Texas is typically handled in a couple of different ways. The two most common ways are Lawyer-Assisted Mediation and Mediation without Lawyers.

Lawyer-Assisted Mediation

In Lawyer-Assisted Mediations, both parties are represented by their lawyers. Each party and his or her lawyer goes into a room separate from the other party and his or her lawyer. A neutral third-party mediator shuttles back and forth between the parties’ rooms helping the two sides reach an agreement.

Lawyer-Assisted Mediations are typically part of an ongoing legal matter, such as a divorce or custody dispute. In fact, many Texas courts will require mediation before a case can go to trial.

Whether it’s required or not, a Lawyer-Assisted Mediation is often a much more cost effective and efficient way to reach an agreement than battling it out in the courtroom.

Mediation Without Lawyers

Mediation without Lawyers is also called early intervention mediation. It is essentially an assisted settlement negotiation where the parties are not represented by individual lawyers. Just like in other forms of mediation, the mediator is there to help the parties try and reach an agreement and does not take sides.

It’s important to understand that mediators are ethically prohibited from giving legal advice to either party. So, even though you may have an attorney as your mediator, he or she cannot give legal advice.

We do mediate for couples or parties that are not represented by individual lawyers. During a Mediation Without Lawyers, we will help the parties in identify their issues, come up with options to resolve those issues and hopefully reach an agreement. Once an agreement has been reached we will have one of our staff members draft a Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA) that outlines what the parties have agreed to.

Once everyone has signed the MSA, we can refer you to an independent attorney that can draft a Final Decree of Divorce or other necessary documents to file with the court.

How Much Does Mediation Cost?

Half Day Mediation $400 per party

Half day mediations are generally scheduled either in the morning from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM or in the afternoon from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM.  Additional hours are billed at $100 per party.

Full Day Mediation $750 per party

Full day mediations are generally scheduled 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and lunch is provided.  Additional hours are billed at $100 per party.

Additional Information About Cost

Whether you’re in the Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Bastrop or San Marcos area, we don’t charge extra for travel time if the mediation is held at another location instead of our office.

The payment for mediation services is due at the end of the mediation and the cost of mediators is typically split among the parties.

Where Do You Mediate?

When we mediate, the mediation itself is usually is held in our offices. We have a great setup for mediations. We have 2 very nice conference rooms and other offices that can be used for break out rooms.

Our West Austin office is easy to find and there is plenty of free parking available. We also have free wireless internet access.

However, as we mentioned earlier on the page, if you would like us to mediate at another location, we typically do not charge for travel time.

Why Mediate With Us?

In addition to being a trained mediator, Cristi Trusler is a Board Certified Family Lawyer that has handled hundreds of divorces and other family law disputes. This combination of experience and family law specialization gives her a valuable perspective.

How Do You Get Started?

When you’re ready to have Cristi Trusler mediate your family law matter, the first step is to check our online mediation calendar. If you’re an attorney that would like to schedule mediation, there is a convenient online mediation request form that you can use. If you are an individual or couple that would like to schedule mediation without lawyers, please call us at 512.481.0330 about scheduling.